Music
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- Connecting
- Creating
- Performing
- Responding
Instrumental Large Ensembles
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Chamber Orchestra (MUS8978/MUS8979)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular .course for advanced high school string performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments; refine performance in small ensemble and full orchestra settings, both with and without wind instruments; and provide experiences in chamber orchestra literature. Placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Concert Band (MUS8940/MUS8941)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Middle School Band or Teacher recommendation and Director of Fine Arts approval.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for developing high school wind and percussion players designed to promote technical proficiency on individual instruments and teach performance in small ensemble and full concert band settings. Students should have a minimum of two years of prior instrumental experience and placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Concert Orchestra (MUS8970/MUS8971)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Middle School Orchestra or Teacher recommendation and Director of Fine Arts approval.
This course is a yearlong co-curricular course for developing high school string performers designed to promote technical proficiency on individual instruments and teach performance in small ensemble and full orchestra settings, both with and without wind instruments. Students should have a minimum of two years of prior instrumental experience and placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (MUS8954/MUS8955)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble and audition.
Description: This is a yearlong co-curricular course for advanced high school jazz performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments, reinforce jazz ensemble performance, and provide experiences in improvisation. Placement is based on audition and at the discretion of the teacher and simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble is required. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Jazz Band (MUS8948/MTH8949)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for aspiring high school jazz performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments, teach jazz ensemble performance, and provide experiences in improvisation. Placement is at the discretion of the teacher and simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble is required. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Percussion Ensemble (8844/8845)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Middle School band or teacher recommendation and Coordinator of Fine Arts approval.
Description: This is a yearlong co-curricular course for developing and intermediate high school percussion performers designed to promote technical proficiency on individual instruments, teach performance in small ensemble and full concert band settings, and provide experiences in percussion ensemble literature. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Symphonic Band (MUS8946/MUS8947)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Concert Band or Teacher recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for intermediate high school wind and percussion performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments and reinforce performance in small ensemble and full concert band settings. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Symphonic Orchestra (MUS8974/MUS8975)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Concert Orchestra or Teacher recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for intermediate high school string performers designed to continue technical development on Individual instruments and reinforce performance in small ensemble and full orchestra settings, both with and without wind instruments. Placement and honors credit are at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Wind Ensemble (MUS8950/MUS8951)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for advanced high school wind and percussion performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments, refine performance in small ensemble and full concert band settings, and provide experiences in wind ensemble literature. Placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
Choral Ensembles
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Bass Chorus (MUS8924/MUS8925)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for developing high school vocal performers designed to introduce students to good vocal technique, diction, sight-reading, and being part of a well-balanced performing group through the use of two-, three-, and four-part music. Placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Chamber Choir (MUS8932/MUS8933)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Concert choir or Teacher recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for advanced high school vocal performers that places emphasis on sight reading and refining the performance of complex high school and assorted college-level literature In accompanied and a cappella settings. Students should have a minimum of one year of prior experience in a large music ensemble and placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Concert Choir (MUS8930/MUS8931)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Bass Chorus, Varsity Treble Chorus, or Teacher recommendation and audition.
Description: This is a yearlong co-curricular course for intermediate high school vocal performers that places emphasis on the performance of various forms of vocal literature for mixed voices throughout the entire choral spectrum. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Treble Chorus (MUS8920/MUS8921)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for developing high school vocal performers designed to introduce students to good vocal technique, diction, sight-reading, and being part of a well-balanced performing group through the use of two-, three-, and four-part music. Placement is at the discretion of the teacher. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Varsity Treble Chorus (MUS8922/MUS8923)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Treble Chorus or Teacher Recommendation and audition.
This is a yearlong co-curricular course for intermediate high school treble vocal performers that places emphasis on advanced vocal technique, diction, sight-reading, and being part of a well-balanced performing group through two-, three-, and four-part music. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
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Vocal Jazz Ensemble (MUS8934/MUS8935)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble and audition.
Description: This is a yearlong co-curricular course for advanced high school vocal jazz performers designed to continue technical development on individual instruments, reinforce vocal jazz ensemble performance, and provide experiences in improvisation. Placement is based on audition and at the discretion of the teacher and simultaneous enrollment in another co-curricular large ensemble is required. This course includes activities and performances outside the regular school day, which are mandatory.
Other Music Courses
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AP Music Theory (MUS8514/MUS8515)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Ensemble participation or Teacher recommendation.
This yearlong course is designed for students who are interested in obtaining a college-level understanding of the fundamental components of music, including pitch, rhythm, form, timbre, and dynamics. Activity in complex analysis, composition, music history, keyboarding, and both melodic and rhythmic dictation will be Included. Upon completion of the class, students are encouraged to take the AP Exam for possible college credit.
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Beginning Instrument Methods (MUS8910/MUS8911)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher approval.
This course is designed to offer a student without prior musical experience an opportunity to learn a string, wind or percussion instrument. Beginning techniques specific to instrument chosen along with fundamental music skills. Quality instrument must be provided by the student through reputable rental source or private ownership.
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Guitar I (MUS8960)
Length: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5 units
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Other info: No prior guitar or music experience required
Description: This is a one-semester class designed for beginning guitar students. Students will learn tablature, chords, note reading, and elementary guitar technique.
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Guitar II (MUS8961)
Length: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5 units
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Guitar I or Teacher recommendation.
This is a one-semester class designed for intermediate and advanced guitar students. Students will continue to learn chords, note reading, tablature, finger picking, and ensemble performance skills. Students must provide their own guitar.
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Guitar Ensemble (MUS8962/MUS8963)
Length: 2 semesters
Credit: 1.0 unit
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Guitar I and II or Teacher recommendation.
Other Info: This course may be repeated for credit
Description: This course is designed for the advanced guitarist who is interested in further developing their guitar technique and musicianship. The repertoire performed in this class includes chamber works for guitar, large ensemble pieces by composers of varied eras, and extensive work on etudes and solo repertoire. Emphasis is placed on development of technique, music-reading skills, composition, sight-reading, chords (first position and barred), and expressive performance as soloists and ensemble members. Students will also receive training in advanced performance practices from the various musical eras, bass line construction and blues improvisation, and flamenco rasguedo technique. Nylon string classical guitars are provided for class use, but it is highly recommended that students have their own nylon string classical guitar for home practice. This ensemble performs several concerts each year and is encouraged to perform at solo and ensemble contests. Students will be required to attend periodic rehearsals and performances outside of the school day.
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History of Hip Hop (MUS8916)
Length: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5 units
Grade: 11, 12
Description: This course will examine the origins of Hip Hop culture and music in the 1970s, and its influence over the last five decades, both in the United States and through a global context. Students will learn how Hip Hop music is created through the study of the fundamental musical elements and will have the opportunity to create their own.
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Music Theory I (MUS8912)
Length: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5 units
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Ensemble participation or Teacher recommendation.
This course is designed for students who are interested in obtaining an introductory-level understanding of the fundamental components of music, including pitch, rhythm, form, timbre, and dynamics. Activity in basic analysis, composition, music history, keyboarding, and both melodic and rhythmic dictation will be included.
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Musicology (MUS8913)
Length: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5 units
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
This course allows students without previous musical training to explore the history and theory of music from a variety of styles and time periods. Course subject will vary depending on term. Subjects will include but are not limited to: Music History, Music Technology, World Music, and Music Appreciation.